1 715 Low Low Low La La La Love Love Love 2007-10-06T00:00:00Z 815 low-low-low-la-la-la-love-l.jpg 283 Other Electricities Ends of June 22 2007 <p> A mix of indie-pop and country-folk, Low Low Low La La La Love Love Love are a British band with a distinctly American sound. Distributed through Darla Records, <em>Ends of June</em> is their second release. </p> <p> Mixing Americana banjos and acoustic guitars with shimmery orch-pop flourishes and lush harmony vocals, the band's sound benefits a great deal from a very rich recording quality that the band themselves managed to capture - in a variety of basements and bedrooms the liner notes seem to indicate, no less. The bass in particular sounds incredible, but the guitar and percussion also sound great. It doesn't hurt that these guys are clearly great musicians as well, no matter how understated they play here. The percussion sounds great - never overbearing, and often more orchestral than rock n roll, a rare talent to find in a drummer. The band was probably smart to outsource the mastering to get a truly professional sound- the beautiful patina that Carl Saff worked on <em>Ends of June</em> clearly benefits the already excellent production. </p> <p> Considering the great wealth of British Isles folk that's been so celebrated as of late, it's surprising that the band overlooks that treasure trove of potential influences entirely and instead choose to focus their interests across the pond. You'd never guess in a million years that this is a British group - not even a trace of accent. Of course they aren't the first group, nor will they be the last to look to the other side of the Atlantic for inspiration. </p> <p> Though they have a folk instrumentation that would invite comparisons to the more Appalachian-tinged members of the psyche-folk underground or the 'New Weird America' groups, the distinctly pop vocals and song-writing immediately discounts such comparisons. <em>Ends Of June</em> would sit more comfortably next to Elliot Smith records, Sufjan Stevens, Belle &amp; Sebastian, acoustic Uncle Tupelo, acoustic Shins songs, even pop groups like Death Cab For Cutie. The title track, has a beautiful woodwinds section that recalls Neutral Milk Hotel, and provides a welcome diversion in the sound. </p> <p> If you're a fan of the above mentioned groups you'll love Low Low Low La La La Love Love Love. The record sounds beautiful, was beautifully played and well-written. </p> 2007-10-06T00:00:00Z 1 1 Gordon B. Isnor